A train ride, a music school, and a shared love of music bridge lives together unexpectedly in Vietnam.
For Ryan Dickinson, music has always represented possibility: the chance to discover something new, find confidence, and connect with others. When he found Rock-Paper-Scissors, an organization connecting young people in Vietnam to music and the arts, he saw a way to help others experience the same spark of discovery that music had given him as a child.
After noticing that Rock-Paper-Scissors’ community center was near a route he and his wife Ece planned to travel, Ryan had an unexpected thought: could we visit?
The answer came quickly: “Yes, come!” That question led to one of their favorite days in Vietnam.
After an early morning train ride through the Vietnamese countryside, Ryan and Ece were welcomed by Rock-Paper-Scissors staff and teachers. They spent the morning joining an art lesson.
“We sat in on an art class and made drawings ourselves,” he recalled. “It felt like getting back in touch with our childhood.”
The couple brought small gifts with them: origami activities, candy, and snacks to share with the children. The classroom quickly filled with conversation and laughter.
Later, Ryan and Ece joined the teachers for lunch before returning that evening for a student music performance.
As the children took the stage, Ryan wasn’t just watching a concert. He was seeing something that had changed the course of his own life.
He began playing drums when he was twelve years old and describes that discovery as a turning point.
“I had been searching for where I fit in and what gave my life meaning,” he said. “I wasn’t particularly good at sports or many other instruments, but when I picked up the drums, it gave me a focus and a purpose. It gave me an identity.”
That experience continues to influence how he thinks about opportunities for young people today.
“Music isn’t the thing for every child,” he said. “But for those who have a passion for it, nurturing that side of them is really important.”
He knows how easily that opportunity could have been missed. His parents were able to buy him a simple drum kit when he was young. Without that chance, he wonders whether he would have ever discovered the passion that eventually shaped his life as a music producer.
“You have to find what brings you happiness,” Ryan shared. “Then you have to think strategically about how that connects to the world and the opportunities around you,” he said.
That perspective made one aspect of the visit especially meaningful: the teachers.
Reflecting on his time at Rock-Paper-Scissors, Ryan spoke less about buildings or programs and more about the people who dedicate their lives to them.
“You could tell they loved turning up every day,” he said. “They were doing something that was clearly their passion, and also something that was important to help the next generation realize theirs too.”
Many of the teachers were accomplished artists and musicians in their own right. What impressed him wasn’t just their talent, but the way they had chosen to use it in service of their community.
“They’ve found an avenue that connects with what they’re good at,” he said. “It feels good to see people step into something that’s related to their passion.”
As the visit came to an end, one feeling stayed with him above all else: joy.
When asked what song best captured the experience, he chose “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.
“It’s a joyful song,” he said. “And that’s the feeling we had.”
Before leaving, he promised the staff he would return one day.
“We’ll definitely have to come back,” he told them. “We’ll see you guys again.”
For him, the visit was a reminder that giving can be more than a transaction. Sometimes it begins with a simple desire to support a place you care about. Sometimes it starts with a shared love of music. And sometimes, if you’re fortunate enough to visit, it becomes a chance to see firsthand the people and passions that make a community thrive.
Founded in 2012 by Sara Stevens Nerone and her daughters, Sophie and Phoebe—both adopted from Vietnam—Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund grew from the family’s deep connection to Vietnam and a desire to create opportunities for children there. What began with art classes and violin lessons during a family volunteer experience has grown into a lasting commitment to supporting girls and young people through education, music, and the arts.
Learn more about Rock-Paper-Scissors.
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